Truth
time.
My
first preaching class, in 1998, was a disaster. All of us were told that we
would be video-taped. Big VHS cameras, thick black ropes of wires, and a huge
tripod were set in the aisle of the chapel to tape us as we attempted, poorly,
to make sense of an assigned passage.
I
remember mine was from the Gospel of Mark. I wrote the homily quickly, but I
had literally beet red hives and chest pains from the thought of being filmed.
I stayed up all night that first time, drank a ton of coffee, and did my 10
minute homily in 6 minutes flat. I didn’t faint, but oh—it was close.
Televangelism
was frowned upon by my professors. I met a few TV pastors back then—Robert Schuller
and more—and I thought, Oh heck, no. My required video-taping tortures
were bad enough, but to be in front of a camera, every time? To do that with
intention, with regularity? No, God, I said. No.
It
was pure irony to me that by 2007 I was filmed weekly in worship for a local public
access channel. After a few months, I forgot about the camera and just did my thing.
Occasionally, someone would mention it and I would shake my head and move
on.
And
now? Now, God is laughing at me. Busting a gut. Because I am not only “on”
every Sunday, but multiple times a week. My You Tube vlogs, Facebook Lives, and
more—it’s part of being a pastor in 2020. I admit, I have learned several
things from the past 22 years.
1. Hives only make you itch.
Benadryl helps.
2. I still don’t like preaching
from Mark.
3. Bob Schuller was right—the
future was and is video.
4. God has a sense of humor.
Don’t tempt God.
5. In the end, we do what we
have to do, to do what we must.
So,
I am a televangelist. Who knew? God did.
I’m working on camera angles, sound, lighting and concise diction. I watch
other pastors and shamelessly look at their backgrounds and quality of filming.
In the end, video is simply God’s new way to spread the Gospel. I have stopped
fighting my own insecurities and accepted it. The Church has finally caught up to
our current culture in 2020.
I
wonder what on earth I will be doing in 2030. Instead of telling God “no” now,
I will leave my mind open. I pray you
do, too. The Church needs more open minds and willingness to meet people where
they are, and not where we think they should be. This is not a time to say “no.” This is a perfect time to ask God, what’s
next?
Blessings,
Pastor
Sarah
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